In the United Kingdom, an old boy network refers directly to social and business associations among former pupils of top independent secondary schools (known as public schools) and, to a lesser degree, to university students (notably Oxbridge), and indirectly to preservation of social elites over time without regard to merit. An alumn (with a silent n), alum, alumnus, or alumna is a former student of a college, university, or school. ... A public school, in current English, Welsh and Northern Ireland usage, is a (usually) prestigious independent school, for children usually between the ages of 11 or 13 and 18, which charges fees and is not financed by the state. ... Oxbridge is a portmanteau name for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest in the United Kingdom and the English-speaking universe. ...

The expression 'old school tie' has essentially the same meaning. This expression derives from the existence of literal school ties indicating that the wearer is an 'old boy' of a particular school. This expression is sometimes used in Australia (where there is a system of grammar schools which base themselves on British public schools and have a similar association with the upper class). The term upper class refers to a group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ...

'Jobs for the boys' also has a similar meaning, obviously referring specifically to employment, and with less of a specific association of upper-class origin.

See also

• Good ol' boy network In the United States
• Alumni association
• school tie